Still hopeful

Indiana's Coverdale works out, but still questionable

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tom Coverdale was able to shoot Friday for the first time since spraining his left ankle last weekend.

Coverdale, the South Regional MVP and a key component in the Hoosiers' Final Four run, still might not be able to play Saturday against Oklahoma, though.

"It's really hard to tell because the trainers have not allowed me to do much on it," the starting point guard said. "They want me to rest it till tomorrow, so we'll see what I can do on it."

Coverdale has been progressing slowly since injuring the ankle on a drive in the Hoosiers' 81-69 victory over Kent State in the regional championship.

He's spent most of the week with his left ankle packed in an "ice boot" 24 hours a day and was on crutches Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

On Friday, coach Mike Davis said Coverdale was operating at 40 percent, but the Hoosiers were hopeful he will play.

"Tom could play with one leg or be in a wheelchair and he'll hit his shots," backup guard A.J. Moye said. "He's moving pretty good and he can always hit his shots."

Coverdale did not work out with the team during its hour-long public practice at the Georgia Dome, but he limped over to the bench to sit next to Davis for the end of the session. The Hoosier fans gave Coverdale a standing ovation.

He did take part in the Hoosiers' closed practice in the morning.

"The most frustrating thing is that we worked so hard to get to this point and there's a chance I may not be able to go out and give it my best shot," he said.

Coverdale is the Hoosiers second-leading scorer at 12.2 points a game and has nearly twice as many assists as his next closest teammate.

If Coverdale does not play, he probably will be replaced by freshman Donald Perry. Perry, who has started five games, is averaging 2.3 points this season.

He has made just 5 of 29 shots from 3-point range, shot 36.8 percent from the field and committed 51 turnovers compared with 41 assists. He has steadily improved, though, and he spent the week practicing as the Hoosiers point guard.

Even if Coverdale cannot go, Perry expects to get more playing time than usual.

"Practice has been hectic because I'm the only point guard, so I'm doing every drill," he said with a laugh.

 

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